We kick off our news section today with coverage of See Through Dresses’ performance at Hear Omaha. It’s been an exciting news week for them, with long-anticipated EP End Of Days announced for this fall by label Tiny Engines. Our Samuel Bennett was on hand to snap a few photos.
photos by Samuel Bennett
Next week, Omaha country outfit The Electroliners will take the Hear Omaha stage at 13th and Howard. Hear Omaha is sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber and, next week, State Farm Agent Grant Mussman.
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Last night, Zoo Bar hosted a Nebraska Folk and Roots showcase with Matt Cox, Gerardo Meza Band, The Inbetweens and The Hanging Cowboys. HN contributor James Dean popped down to the blues haven just after taking photos at the State Games (which we’ll post in a feature on Monday). For now, see shots of all but The Hanging Cowboys — apologies are in order; we’ll make sure to get them next time.
Matt Cox 
The Inbetweens 
Gerardo Meza Band 
photos by James Dean
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One thing about punk and its subgenres is that many of its artists wear their hearts on their sleeves. Whether through political protest, broken hearts or sentimental memories, the delivery is loud and outspoken.
Kearney pop punk fivesome This Is Whispering — comprising frontman Morgan Rezac, guitarists Josh Henderson and Kyle Novak, bassist Chance Shoemaker and new drummer Drew Bohl — minces no words on its new EP Extended Vacations. It melds chugging, near-metal riffs with anthemic vocals, changing it up and reigning in the energy for its closer. The EP releases independently on Monday.
Today, we debut that final song, “The Green Country Gravy Champion, That’s Who,” a ballad about marathon touring. It takes on an almost islander feel with a tight ukulele and campfire vocals, before taking off at the end for a singalong chorus.
This Is Whispering has also booked quick weekend outing, which starts next Thursday in Roseland, Neb.
– Thursday, Aug. 6th – 7 p.m. – Roseland, Neb. with High Hopes (Minnesota pop punk) Get Stoked (Michigan pop punk) Letterbomb (Lincoln, NE)
– Friday, Aug. 7th – 9 p.m. – Knickerbockers, Lincoln with Faded Black, Devil In The Details
– Saturday, Aug. 8 – 7 p.m. Sandbox, Kansas City, Mo. with Airport Novels & Tread Lightly
– Sunday, Aug. 9 – 9 p.m. – Gillies Bar, Kearney, Neb. with Devil In The Details, Earth Groans, Dawnbreaker
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Sunday night, Film Streams continues its “Sights On Sound” documentary series, showcasing in-depth features that probe worldwide music topics. HN contributor Andrew Samson previews this week’s installment below:
“The Decline of Western Civilization, a peek into the gritty, visceral world of LA punk, has a reputation that precedes it. According to stories, acknowledged in interviews by director Penelope Spheeris, Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates wrote her a letter asking that the film not be screened in the city upon its original release. According to Gates, the film had caused so many fans of punk bands to get into fights and commit other acts of mischief after viewing it. After its initial run in cinemas, the film gained cult status among viewers.
On Sunday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m., Film Streams will screen the first of a two-part documentary showcasing Los Angeles’ punk and metal music scenes. Spheeris’ documentary was originally filmed in 1979-1980 and released in 1981. Decline features various interviews and performance clips from musicians such as Circle Jerks, The Germs, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, and X.
Those who attend the Sunday night viewing of The Decline of Western Civilization will also be able to participate with director Penelope Spheeris in a Q&A at the conclusion of the documentary. Spheeris will be discussing her experiences making the film as well as her career as a director, writer and producer. She is known for the Decline of Western Civilization trilogy, as well as comedies Wayne’s World and Black Sheep.”
— Andrew Samson
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With Nebraska Folk and Roots Festival and tons of great music at the State Games of America, it figures to be a busy showgoing weekend. We published guides to each event earlier in the week. Find the Folk and Roots guide here, and the State Games guide here.
In a weekend chalk full of festivals, don’t forget Grassroots in Council Bluffs, which we previewed earlier in the week (RSVP here); or the first annual Hinterland Music Festival in Des Moines, which features it’s own stacked lineup (RSVP here).
Friday, July 31
Parking open at 2:00 p.m.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – The Envy Corps
6:30 p.m. – TV on the Radio
8:00 p.m. – Future Islands
9:30 p.m. – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Saturday, August 1
Parking open at 10:00 a.m.
Doors open at 12:00 p.m.
12:15 p.m. – Trevor Sensor
1:00 p.m. – Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear
2:00 p.m. – Joe Pug
3:00 p.m. – Justin Townes Earle
4:00 p.m. – St Paul & The Broken Bones
5:15 p.m. – Lucius
6:30 p.m. – Yonder Mountain String Band
8:00 p.m. – Brandi Carlile
9:30 p.m. – Old Crow Medicine Show
And there are plenty of club gigs going on around the state. Here’s a quick round-up of the highlights:
Friday
– Heaters with Uh Bones and The Females at Zoo Bar (RSVP here)
– John Klemmsensen & the Party with Two Drag Club and Kait Berreckman Band at Barley Street Tavern (RSVP here)
– Power and Progress Festival in Columbus (all weekend — RSVP here)
Saturday
– Producers of the Word with Red Francis at The Bourbon (RSVP here)
– Flannel Channel at Vega (RSVP here)
Sunday
– Oedipus Tex and Bonehart Flannigan at Meadowlark Coffee (RSVP here)
– Water Liars with A Ferocious Jungle Cat (RSVP here)
For these and more shows, check out our statewide calendar at hearnebraska.org/events. As always, feel free to email us at news@hearnebraska.org with events, story ideas or news tips. See you out there.